Protecting one's home in the summer months

 

June 1, 2011

 

Though warmer weather can mean more fun times around one's house, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) says it can also lead to an increase in property crime. Burglars can take advantage of homeowners' extended summer vacations or open windows, often leading to higher crime rates when the weather warms up. But there are ways for consumers to protect their properties and loved ones.

 

 

There are a number of devices available that can help keep a homeowner’s new property safe during the summer. The most common is an electronic home security system that alerts local law enforcement when a break-in is taking place. Some sophisticated systems have the added benefit of alerting local fire personnel if a blaze breaks out at a home while the owners are away, providing an extra incentive to purchase an alarm.

 

The NCPC notes automatic timers can also turn indoor lighting on and off when homeowners are away on vacation, giving burglars the idea that someone's home even if they're not. Ample outdoor light, including motion-detector lights, can deter burglars. And the simplest but most beneficial technology may be a simple door and window lock. The NCPC recommends using these whenever someone isn't home.

 

 

Homeowners should also talk to their neighbors about home safety, said the council. Some neighbors work out arrangements to keep an eye on one another's homes while away, which the NCPC said can be a smart way to band together a community against crime. Additionally, homeowners are advised to ask their neighbors to pick up their mail or any delivered newspapers that might be sitting on their front steps. Having a full mailbox or a lot of old newspapers on one's lawn can sometimes tip burglars off that someone hasn't been home in a few days.

 

 

There are a couple of other ways for homeowners to outsmart burglars. A homeowner can drill a hole through the top frame of the lower window into part of the frame of the upper window and put a nail into the hole, preventing the window from being opened. Homeowners can even do the "pin" trick with a partially open window to allow cool air to filter in while preventing a burglar from opening the window any further, said New Jersey's Verona-Cedar Grove Times.